UPDATE: The little girl has gotten a reprieve and is allowed to sell her lemonade without a license.

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Oregon’s Multnomah County officials have had it with rogue children operating sketchy side businesses while skimping on taxes. So they shut down a 7-year-old girl’s lemonade stand because she failed to get a $120 temporary business license.

The girl put up her stand at a Portland art fair. The article says Oregon state law requires lemonade stands — even the ones in front of houses — to get the licenses.

The Oregonian quotes a government official who explains it’s a health issue:

“I understand the reason behind what they’re doing and it’s a neighborhood event, and they’re trying to generate revenue,” he said. “But we still need to put the public’s health first.”

Two county officials enforced the law with vigor and thoroughness, causing the girl to cry.

Portland lemonade stand runs into health inspectors, needs $120 license to operate [The Oregonian]
(Thanks, Lance!)

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